LETTERS: Assault coverage biased, incomplete

To the Editor: I am upset not only because the adjacent article (which was given much more detail and description) centering on a possible sports team's involvement in a former Temple University student's hit-and-run seemed to receive greater attention, but also because the DP reinforced the article's passive attitude by giving the Temple article front and center preference, while the article concerning the very serious attack on the female student (which was written in ridiculously sparse detail) was pushed literally to the side. Furthermore, the article about the attack downplayed the assault not only in its scant description, but also through its unfairly quiet verbs. Sentences like, "The victim, a sophomore, was in the bathroom when the man approached her," imply much less than what actually happened. Needn't we mention he was waiting for her to go to the bathroom, followed her in and waited for her to exit her stall before attacking her with a knife -- meanwhile threatening her life? The article then states that the victim was "treated for multiple cuts and bruises on her hands and face" and later that "it is not exactly clear how she was injured." Come on! There was a violent struggle here in which a man with a knife tried to rape and possibly kill this sophomore in our University! It makes me sick that the article could say she was not seriously injured; it completely undermines any long-lasting psychological effects that a traumatic attack like this might entail. And it does not even bother to provide any information regarding where a woman who has survived an attempted violent sexual attack may turn. Why? Because the article didn't treat it as one. All that was written was, "Nothing was stolen, and investigators are still trying to determine why the assailant attacked the student." Perhaps because a man waiting with a knife at quarter of three in the morning in the women's bathroom of a University building which is open all night for students to study safely is not there to steal somebody's wallet. I asked myself why this article was pushed to the side and shamefully reduced to an assault with a direct correlation to a past burglary attempt -- not mentioning once the serious implications of women's safety on campus. Was it placed next to the Temple article in order to detract our attention from the incident that occurred so close to home, at Steiny-D, where some of my best friends study religiously late at night? Was the other article given more emphasis because the former Temple student's attack was a possible result of fellow university students, rather than an outside West Philadelphia community resident whom the University wants us not to be afraid of? Or was it because it was simply an attack on a male, and that seems to be less taboo to speak about in our society? I think it is time we recognize how serious this issue is. My heart goes out not only to the victim, whose strength in surviving this attack I will forever admire, but also to anyone who may think this issue is one that can be downplayed. You are living in serious denial and for that I am both saddened and outraged. I can only ask how you would have felt if this was your own friend, sister or girlfriend. Stephanie Lemelin College '01 u To the Editor: I am writing in response to the so-called article which discussed the attack of the student in Steiny-D Sunday morning. Not only did the article completely downplay the incident, but to those who don't know the victim, the account made her out to be a bumbling fool of sorts. The heading of the article, wherein the incident is trivialized as an "alleged attack," was both insulting to the victim and extremely infuriating to those who know the truth and have stood by her entirely. In fact, I would like all those who read this letter not to take it with a grain a salt, considering I was by the victim's side in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania emergency room moments after the attack. The victim called me in hysterics that Sunday morning, and I made arrangements to meet her immediately. Upon calling the Penn Shuttle service to transport me to the hospital, the operator gave me a nasty attitude and proceeded to ask unnecessary questions before approving the pick-up. When I asked her how long the wait would be, she hastily replied that she did not know (and I assume she didn't give two shits either). I did not expect or deserve this treatment from the school during an emergency situation. The article confirms to parents and other apprehensive readers that the victim only suffered "minor injuries." I guess the severe head trauma she experienced after having had her head banged on the floor, sink and doors is nothing to whine about. Not to mention those pesky lacerations across her face, back and hands that thwarted the assailant's dagger from piercing her neck and abdomen as he had intended. I do not think I have to continue describing the physical damage the victim suffered to prove how inaccurately the author employed the term "minor" in the article. And how about the permanent and irreversible mental damage the victim suffered as a result of this disquieting injustice? I suffer each time I hear her tell the story and witness the fear and rage consume her person. I can only imagine how her family must be suffering as well. As if the victim did not suffer enough psychological damage from the attack itself, the nurse's aid at HUP treated her like a pariah. Cold and calculated, she rushed the victim's examination, writing her off as just another case. I stood and watched, appalled by the rash, sarcastic comments she uttered upon the victim's delayed responses (completely insensitive to the fact that the victim was clearly shaken up). Luckily, the victim was and continues to be strong in mind, body and spirit. I would like to thank all of those who have supported her throughout this horrific ordeal and duly encourage you to spread the truth in combatting the fallacy of this article. Thank you all for taking the time out to read this letter. By doing so, you have made a remarkable difference. Krista Saunders College '01